3D Printing News and Innovation

Designer Spotlight: Adam Nathaniel Furman

This weeks Designer Spotlight focuses on Adam Nathaniel Furman, an architect bringing classical architecture to life through beautiful homewares.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you?

I am a designer based in London. I trained as an architect, but I write, teach, design products and interiors, as well as architecture and videos. I am currently a Designer in Residence 2013 at the Design Museum in London, and you can follow that project as it develops on its own blog.

What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?

I am, and always have been, inspired by a combination of classical architecture – from Greek column & post, through Roman concrete vaults, to Renaissance domes – and contemporary popular culture, often of the silliest kind – from novelty mugs to Katie Perry music videos. I think the friendly rivalry of these two occupations shows through in most of my work.

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?

I learned 3D design in architecture school and I think I came across Shapeways in an article in a newspaper, I can’t remember which. I thought what a great business model it sounded like so I was following it as a customer for some time. I have a passion for ceramics so when they introduced ceramics I began setting up a shop.

My favorite designers would have to be Piero Fornasetti, Ettore Sottsass, and Gio Ponti. All rather Italian!

If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?

Architectural scale elements in 3D printed ceramics. Architraves, eaves, soffits, bannisters, corbels, tiles, everything and anything. I would love to work closely with Shapeways on some more experimental, larger scale works in the near future, to explore how 3D printed ceramics could be used in new and exciting ways.

Check out Adam’s work on his Shapeways Shop or head over to his website, and if you’d like to be the next Featured Designer, email natalia@shapeways.com